New Zealand Maori 9 England 23
England gained revenge for their humiliating defeat against the New Zealand Maori five years ago when they recorded a comfortable victory in New Plymouth today.
Memories of the 62-14 drubbing in 1998 were erased by an impressive exhibition of forward power at a rain-lashed Yarrow Stadium.
Despite fielding a team containing five All Blacks - including Christian Cullen and Taine Randell - the Maori found themselves out-muscled by an England pack whose star performers were Wasps pair Simon Shaw and Joe Worsley.
Shaw and substitute scrum-half Andy Gomarsall scored tries, while fly-half Paul Grayson kept English noses in front with three penalties and two conversions.
Maori fly-half Glen Jackson slotted a penalty hat-trick - yet despite some dangerous running from centre Rico Gear and wing Brad Fleming, the home side were unable to breach England's defence.